This Roasted Ratatouille Recipe gives you all the flavor of a traditional ratatouille without all of the work! Enjoy a deliciously gluten-free and vegan side dish with minimal effort in your air fryer.

What Makes This Air Fryer Side Dish So Great

I love ratatouille, but I don’t love the laborious arranging of it in concentric circles because I really don’t have that kind of patience—nor the attention span if truth be told. I also find the veggies to be a little less crisp in that process.

So I decided to use the ingredients of ratatouille but roast them to get a more savory, slightly crisp dish. The result was this Air Fryer Roasted Ratatouille Recipe, and let me tell you, you'll never want to make ratatouille the traditional way ever again.

What Is Ratatouille?

If you've never had ratatouille, let me tell you, it's got to be one of the best vegetable side dishes out there (if not the best). This seemingly simple Roasted Ratatouille Recipe is actually bursting with complex flavors.

What Does It Taste Like?

Roasting the vegetables brings out flavors from the veggies that you can only get from adding some char to them. Add in the wonderful combination of garlic, oregano, and thyme and you've got one very tasty vegan side dish!

Not only is this Roasted Ratatouille Recipe delicious, but it's incredibly easy to make as well. There's no excessive prepping process here.

Just dice some veggies, toss them in oil, garlic, and seasonings and throw them in the air fryer for 20 minutes.

The air fryer does an amazing job of not only cooking the veggies quickly, but it adds a nice char to the veggies that really brings out the flavors in this ratatouille dish.

Is Ratatouille Healthy?

Ratatouille is actually quite healthy as it's low in calories and carbs while being high in good fats. It's also vegan-friendly and gluten-free, meaning you can serve it to guests without having to worry too much about dietary restrictions.

Ingredients You'll Need

2 cups Eggplant- The hearty base vegetable of the dish. Eggplant absorbs oil and seasoning beautifully, becoming tender and slightly creamy when cooked, giving the ratatouille body and richness.
1 cup Sweet Bell Peppers- Adds natural sweetness, bright color, and a slight crunch. The peppers balance the earthiness of the eggplant with their crisp and juicy flavor.
1 cup Cherry Tomatoes- Provide a juicy burst of freshness. As they roast in the air fryer, they soften and release their sweet-tart juices, creating a natural sauce that ties all the vegetables together.
6–8 Garlic Cloves- Infuses the dish with bold, savory aroma and flavor. The garlic roasts until slightly caramelized, lending a mellow depth that enhances all the vegetables.
3 tablespoons Oil- Helps the vegetables roast evenly and crisp up in the air fryer without drying out. It also acts as a carrier for the herbs and seasonings, ensuring every bite is flavorful.
1 teaspoon Dried Oregano- Adds a classic Mediterranean flavor with earthy, slightly peppery notes that complement the roasted vegetables.
1 teaspoon Salt- Enhances the natural flavors of the vegetables, balancing sweetness, acidity, and earthiness throughout the dish.
1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper- Provides subtle heat and depth, preventing the flavors from tasting flat.

How To Make This Roasted Ratatouille Recipe

Season generously. In a medium bowl, toss together the eggplant, pepper, tomatoes, garlic, oil, oregano, salt, pepper, and thyme.
Cook to perfection. Place the vegetables in the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 400°F for 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and roasted.

Tips And Tricks For Making Eggplant Ratatouille

Getting perfectly tender, flavorful ratatouille from your air fryer is easy when you keep a few simple tips in mind. These tricks will help you achieve even cooking, balanced seasoning, and maximum flavor.

Understand the portion. The vegetables shrink down considerably when this is cooked, and you will get about 2 cups of cooked veggies from this recipe, making it a great side dish.
Try it in the oven. If you want to make this in an oven, you will need to bake the vegetables at 450 for 15-20 minutes and then broil for another 5 or so minutes.

Variations

Ratatouille is wonderfully versatile, and making it in the air fryer opens the door to countless variations. Here are a few creative ways to adapt this dish to your taste or the ingredients you have on hand:

Zucchini Swap- Add or replace some of the eggplant with diced zucchini for a lighter, slightly sweeter flavor.
Herb Boost- Use fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or rosemary instead of dried herbs for a brighter, more aromatic finish.
Cheesy Finish- Sprinkle grated Parmesan, feta, or mozzarella over the ratatouille during the last few minutes of air frying for a rich, melty topping.
Spicy Kick- Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of harissa to bring some heat and depth.
Protein Upgrade- Toss in cooked chickpeas, white beans, or diced chicken sausage before air frying to turn it into a complete meal.

What To Serve With It

Air fryer ratatouille is a versatile side dish that can easily stand on its own or be paired with a variety of mains. Its tender vegetables, infused with herbs and garlic, complement proteins, grains, and breads beautifully. Here are some delicious ideas for serving:

With Protein- Pair with grilled chicken, seared salmon, roasted pork chops, or lamb for a satisfying, well-rounded meal.
Over Grains- Serve over couscous, quinoa, rice, or farro to soak up the natural tomato juices and herbs.
With Pasta- Toss the roasted vegetables with cooked spaghetti, penne, or zucchini noodles for a light and flavorful pasta dish.
With Bread- Enjoy alongside crusty baguette slices, focaccia, or garlic bread to scoop up every last bit of the roasted veggie goodness.

How Long Does It Last?

Air fryer ratatouille will stay fresh in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days when stored in an airtight container. The flavors often deepen as it sits, making it even tastier the next day.

To reheat, simply warm it in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore some of the roasted texture, or use the microwave or stovetop for convenience.

Can You Freeze It?

If you’d like to store it longer, you can freeze ratatouille for up to 2 months, though the vegetables may soften more after thawing.

For best results, let it cool completely before portioning into freezer-safe containers or bags, and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Looking For More Great Vegan Side Dishes? Check These Out!

Barley Pilaf with Mushrooms - So delectably savory.
Sesame Ginger Broccoli - A low carb side dish that has SO much Asian flavor!
Mediterranean Okra Tomato Stew - A great quick vegan option.
Instant Pot Wild Rice Pilaf - The perfect savory rice side dish for your next meal.
Savory Potato Patties - The perfect potato side dish or snack.
Rosemary Roasted Potatoes - An easy side dish you can make in the air fryer.
Shawarma Green Beans - A light and flavorful side dish.
Instant Pot Kenyan Kunde - A yummy and nutritious recipe with black-eyed peas.
Low Carb Air Fryer Radishes O'Brien - The perfect keto side dish for your next meal.

This Roasted Ratatouille Recipe is sure to become a new weeknight favorite, considering how simple and delicious it is. Make sure to share this recipe with your friends on Pinterest and Facebook so they can enjoy it as well!